The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, announced this Monday a new process of "reordering" of domestic trade in Cuba, in an attempt to improve the distribution of basic products and confront the economic crisis affecting the island.
During an annual assessment attended by the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and officials from the Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN), Marrero emphasized that the current system has serious organizational issues, as well as inefficiencies in the management and distribution of essential goods for the population.
According to a report from the Canal Caribe, the failures and delays in the delivery of the regulated family basket were a concern for consumers throughout 2024.
In the meeting, special attention was drawn to the instability in the distribution of basic products such as rice, oil, and sugar.
Interviewed citizens expressed frustration due to the fact that products arrive partially or with significant delays, forcing them to turn to the parallel or informal market, which is inaccessible for many because of high prices.
Among the reasons cited by Cuban authorities is the U.S. embargo, although they refrain from addressing government inefficiency in managing internal trade. Additionally, there are delays in financial transactions, rising logistical costs, a lack of fuel, and the deterioration of state infrastructure.
However, the government omits in its discourse the impact of its own centralization and control over the economy, which has created dependency and chronic shortages.
Marrero harshly criticized the bureaucracy and stated that it is one of the biggest obstacles to ensuring equitable access to food and essential products.
The leader indicated that new oversight mechanisms will be established to combat the diversion of goods to the black market and announced regulations to organize electronic commerce, a sector where state institutions have also engaged in illegal practices by selling products without proper licenses or taxes.
However, these measures have already proven ineffective in the past, as corruption within the state apparatus itself is one of the factors that facilitates the diversion of goods to the black market.
During the meeting, successful experiences were also analyzed, such as the implementation of comprehensive technological solutions to improve the traceability and control of goods from their unloading at ports to retail businesses, thus aiming to combat crimes and diversions that led to economic losses of 60 million pesos in 2024.
The Minister of Domestic Trade, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, added that by 2025, foreign investment will be boosted, state-run small and medium-sized enterprises focused on energy savings and gastronomy will be created, cooperative production with non-state economic actors will be promoted, and the expansion of municipal production centers will take place to improve the food supply.
The promises of "reordering" remind us of the failed Tarea Ordenamiento implemented in 2021, which, far from improving the economy, accelerated inflation and created greater scarcity. Despite this background, the government continues to insist on implementing similar measures without acknowledging its responsibility for the current crisis.
The measure that, as explained by the authorities at the time, aimed to simplify economic transactions and improve efficiency, brought challenges such as inflation and rising prices of basic goods and services, posing many difficulties for the island's inhabitants.
These circumstances have led the government to introduce new regulations for the private sector and to seek alternatives to
Frequently Asked Questions about the Restructuring of Domestic Trade in Cuba
What does the "reordering" of domestic trade in Cuba announced by Manuel Marrero mean?
The "reordering" of domestic trade in Cuba is a process announced by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz to improve the distribution of basic products and address the economic crisis. It aims to solve organizational issues and inefficiencies in the management and distribution of essential goods.
What are the main causes of the crisis in the distribution of essential goods in Cuba?
The Cuban authorities mention several causes for the crisis in the distribution of basic products: the economic blockade by the United States, delays in international financial transactions, increased costs due to additional freight, lack of fuel, and deterioration of the vehicle fleet and technological equipment. Bureaucracy is also seen as a major obstacle, according to Marrero Cruz.
What measures are being implemented to combat the diversion of goods to the black market in Cuba?
To combat the diversion of goods to the black market, new oversight mechanisms will be established. Regulations will also be implemented for e-commerce, where state institutions have engaged in illegal practices by selling products without proper licenses or taxes.
What successful experiences were analyzed in the meeting about domestic trade in Cuba?
During the meeting, successful experiences were analyzed, such as the implementation of comprehensive technological solutions to improve the traceability and control of goods. These solutions aim to combat crimes and diversions that caused economic losses of 60 million pesos in 2024.
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